Last Friday, at the training regiment of the Counter-Aircraft Artillery Command, the training process lasting 12 weeks in favor of 36 Volunteers in Fixed Station of four years (VFP4) coming from various departments of the Italian Army.
With the first phase of training, which began on 5 November and lasts 5 weeks, the course participants have acquired the ability to perform all the functions related to the role of "anti-aircraft gunner" and to know how to operate within the team according to the bases of use envisaged by current regulations. This phase was divided into several disciplinary modules which included classroom lessons and practical tests on all weapon systems that make up the anti-aircraft specialty (SAMP / T, SKYGUARD-ASPIDE and STINGER).
In the second phase of the course, lasting 3 weeks, a series of more specific lessons were carried out on the STINGER, a weapon system that they will use once assigned to the operational departments of the 17th "Sforzesca" regiment of Sabaudia or the 121st regiment. "Ravenna" of Bologna. In this phase, the students participated in numerous training activities both in the areas inside the "Santa Barbara" barracks through the use of the PATO (Operational Tactical Training Post), and in the external training areas managed by COMACA, including the Polygon of Foce Verde (LT). Here, the students were able to practice with model aircraft in flight and with the simulacrum of the STINGER FHT weapon system, in order to acquire the correct missile launch procedures. This second phase allowed the trainees, following a written exam and practical test, to achieve the position of "pointer / shooter in. Msl. Very short range" or "head of weapon in. Msl. Very short range".
The last phase of the process was the pre-selection, lasting 4 weeks, of the VFP4 staff to attend the course to achieve the Amphibious Army Qualification (QAE) which will take place at the "Serenissima" lagoon regiment in May 2020. This will enable the 17th "Sforzesca" counter-aircraft artillery regiment to be supplied which, since 2006, has been part of the joint forces package of National Projection Screening Capacity (CNPM) together with other units of the Italian Army.
The VFP4 started this pre-selection with a first phase of flotation tests carried out in the swimming pool of the Cesano Infantry School. Subsequently they supported various timed weighted marches, of 4-6-8 and 10 km with a 10 kg backpack and individual weapon in tow. The third and last phase of evaluation was carried out by carrying out the descent from the daring tower with the fast-rope technique that simulates the descent from helicopters which, in the CNPM context, in the advanced stages of the maneuver, allows the insertion of the first shooting places counter-aircraft of the landing force. The CNPM must allow the national military instrument to be able to conduct operations that involve the insertion in a hostile, uncertain or permissive environment of a landing force, as an advanced component of a greater share of forces coming from the sea. Specifically, the 17th "Sforzesca" regiment is committed to guaranteeing the Combat Support with an anti-aircraft defense on the landing force's maneuver units.
At the COMACA training regiment, several courses are currently active, including the 19th application course for officers in permanent service in the special role of SHORAD / V-SHORAD anti-aircraft artillery and the 20th specialization course for junior marshals "commander of the anti-aircraft artillery section ".
